2012 annual report - Ashland Police Department

Chief Robert W. RatliffAs Chief of Police, I am pleased to present the Ashland PoliceDepartment Annual 2012 Report. I hope you find this reportto be an informational and beneficial resource relating to ourorganization, personnel, activities, and accomplishments. Aswe look back on the endeavors of 2012 recounted in this year’sannual report, I am particularly proud of the achievementsaccomplished by all the members of the Police Department. Wesaw a reduction of criminal offenses in most all categories andwe also saw an increase in traffic enforcement efforts leading toa decrease in the number of traffic crashes. Our DARE and SchoolResource Officer continue to maintain a presence in our schoolsand do their part to see that our youth programs continue toflourish and to provide a safe environment for our students tolearn. The department’s continued success across all Divisionsis a tribute to the men and women of our organization and thegreat services they provide to all those that live, work, and visitthe City of Ashland.We, in city government and the police department, havefaced and will continue to face our share of challenges. Staffingshortages and fiscal constraints require us to continuallyreexamine how we do business and deploy our existing staff.The coming year will present new challenges and I am confidentour staff will rise to the occasion and remain stellar.Our objective is to continue to apply our CommunityOriented Policing strategies, police smarter, making the most ofour resources and utilize the latest technology to deliver the bestservice possible. It is imperative that we continue to maximizethe use of technology in determining the best use of theseresources and place them where criminal activity is occurring.Our goal is and will always be to make Ashland one ofthe safest cities in America. All of the members of the PoliceDepartment take seriously their responsibility to provide ourcommunity with professional, innovative and efficient policeservices. I am confident with the commitment of our staff, thecontinued support of our public officials and City leadership,along with the unending support from community members,we will continue to face and overcome the challenges ahead.Chief Robert W. Ratliff

Ashland Police DepartmentField OperationsThe majority of time whenyou pick up your phone to call9-1-1 asking a dispatcher fora police response, you will begreeted by a member of the FieldOperations Division. Consistingof 36 members, Field Operationsis the largest division within thepolice department. This divisionis divided into two (2) platoons;day shift, consisting of two teamsworking from 0700 to 1900 hrs andmidnight shift, also consisting oftwo (2) teams who work from 1900to 0700 hrs. Field Operations serveas first responders to emergencyand non-emergency calls forservice 24 hours a day, 365 days ayear.Partnerships with our citizensare vital to the success of anypolice agency. The Ashland PoliceDepartment relies on your eyesand ears to report suspiciousactivity to 9-1-1. Remember, ifit doesn’t look right or soundright, it’s probably a good idea tocontact the police to report thesuspicious activity. Observingthis suspicious activity from asafe distance and taking note ofphysical descriptions of suspects,such as their race, height, weight,and a clothing description, can aidlaw enforcement responding tothe scene of a crime. It is also vitalto obtain a direction of flight ifthey leave the scene, and a vehicledescription, if applicable.In addition to deterring theopportunity for crimes to becommitted, a major task of theField Operations is traffic safety/enforcement. This past year, wepartnered with the KentuckyOffice of Highway Safety inworking federal overtime throughvarious traffic safety campaigns.Each spring, we join forces withlaw enforcement across thenation with the “Click It or Ticket”campaign. Studies prove that yourchances of surviving a car crashare increased dramatically whenwearing a seat belt. As the catchphrase goes…..”It’s Quick, It’s easy,and it’s the Law”! APD also gearsthis traffic grant towards impaireddriving enforcement. “Drive Soberor Get Pulled Over” focuses effortson identifying and apprehendingimpaired drivers.We also focus on educatingour young drivers of theimportance of using their seat beltEACH time they get behind thewheel. This past August, the schoolyear was just beginning when wepartnered with the Kentucky Officeof Highway Safety to bring theRollover Simulator to students atPaul Blazer High School. Studentssaw firsthand the affects of anunrestrained occupant of a motorvehicle in a rollover crash. They gotto see physics in motion, it wasn’ta matter of will the crash dummybe ejected, but how quickly itwas going to be ejected. If notproperly restrained, your chancesof ejection increase with eachrollover. Many occupants are killedwhen they are ejected with theirvehicle rolling over them.

According to the KentuckyOffice of Highway Safety, driverinattention is the leading factorin most crashes and near-crashes.Based on these findings nearly 80% of all crashes and 65 % of nearcrashesinvolved some form ofdriver inattention within 3 secondsbefore the event. Primary causes ofdriver inattention are distractingactivities, such as adjusting theradio, talking to passengers, eatingand drinking, talking on cell phone,and sending text messages.According to preliminary datain Kentucky during 2012, therewere more than 53,000 collisionswhere driver distraction was notedas a factor. These crashes resulted inmore than 14,500 injuries and 169fatalities. These numbers accountfor 41% of the total injuries and23% of the total fatalities occurringon Kentucky’s roadways last year.This is down from 25% of the totalfatalities during 2011.Its evident traffic safety ismajor focus for Field Operations.Through these enforcementefforts, the ultimate goal is tosee a reduction in the number ofcar crashes we investigate. Andthrough these efforts, we AREseeing a reduction in the numberof crashes in our community.Major Mark McDowellField Operations CommanderSo many peopleand families are affectedby a fatal traffic collisionhereare fatal collisionsummaries fromKentucky for the past 10years:2002- 9152003- 9312004- 9642005- 9852006- 9132007- 8642008- 8262009- 7912010- 7602011- 7212012- 744Source: Kentucky Officeof Highway SafetyWhile these statsare on the decline, ourefforts of reduction mustcontinue. The AshlandPolice Departmentwill continue to makeenforcement efforts apriority to make ourcommunity safer for allto enjoy.

2012 Crime StatsDid you know?Ashland Police Departmentprovides daily updates on ourwebsite at www.ashlandkypd.com viaCrimeReports software. This interactivemap allows you to view crimes bylocation, address, crime type andcustomizable date range. You may alsoview national sex offender data alongside crime in your neighborhood.There is also a free smartphone app.911 Calls for Service4500Number of Calls / Day of Week400035003000Number of Calls2500200015003,3263,899 3,867 4,038 3,8684,3143,73310005000SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdayYou should be aware that, in an effort to improve the quality of the Crime in Kentucky report, several adaptations weremade in 1998 data reporting and have continued through 2010. These changes are in accordance with UCR guidelines, and willaffect your ability to compare the numbers published in the 1998 through 2010 reports with previously published data.

Ashland Police Departmentresponded to 27,045 911calls this year. Violent crimewas a notable decrease lastyear, where crime preventionemphasis was placed in theseareas. Continued focus on theftrelated crimes, substantialdecline from the previous yearyet again.We are also pleased toreport the reduction in vehcilecollisions during 2012, whichhave decreased by 125 reports.Injury collisions also decreasedby 21 reports and we had nofatal collisions in 2012.

Remembering Fallen OfficersOn average, one lawenforcement officer is killedin the line of duty somewherein the United States every 53hours. Since the first knownline-of-duty death in 1791,more than 19,000 U.S. lawenforcement officers havemade the ultimate sacrifice.Crime fighting has takenits toll. Since the first recordedpolice death in 1791, therehave been over 19,000 lawenforcement officers killedin the line of duty. Currently,there are 19,660 namesengraved on the walls of theNational Law EnforcementOfficers Memorial.Patrolman James LayneAshland Police DepartmentEOW: Friday, October 8, 1937Cause: GunfirePatrolman Lon CastleAshland Police DepartmentEOW: Saturday, May 9, 1925Cause: GunfirePatrolman William G. JohnsonAshland Police DepartmentEOW: Thursday, July 19, 1923Cause: GunfirePatrolman Doc LeflerAshland Police DepartmentEOW: Monday, July 4, 1921Cause: GunfirePatrolman Charles West HatfieldAshland Police DepartmentEOW: Monday, March 31, 1919Cause: GunfireLieutenant Conrad FrankAshland Police DepartmentEOW: Wednesday, June 29, 1910Cause: Gunfire

Criminal ProcessCrime happens every day.There have always been peoplelooking to take advantageof a situation for their ownpersonal gain. Being a victim ofcrime is a traumatic life event.Understandably, victims of crimeare left feeling helpless andalone. Police show up and wedo everything we can to makepeople feel less like a victim byproviding victims advice on howto empower ourselves againstcrime. Often police can solve thecrime and make an arrest or obtaina warrant for the perpetrator,but the long legal process canfrustrate victims to believe thatnothing is being done for them.An understanding of what takestime in the legal process can helpto ease these frustrations andfeelings of hopelessness.First, the investigationinto a crime can be a lengthyprocess. Even when there is asuspect, proving that personcommitted the crime can takemuch longer than the 30 or sominutes it takes on C.S.I. Miami.Sometimes the necessary stepof finding the suspect for aninterview can take a very longtime. Evidence gathering is also amajor contributor to the length ofan investigation. For example, thevolume of documents that needto be processed by the officer ina straightforward financial crimesuch as a case of forged checks,can take days to go through.Once those documents are gonethrough, obtaining evidencesuch as video surveillance from astore where the checks were usedcan take even more time whenthe officer is at the mercy of themerchant who has the video beingable to provide police with a copyof the video. Waiting for tests onforensic evidence to be completeat the crime lab is another majorsource of time in a case.Once the investigation iscomplete and a probable causearrest has not been made, theprocess for obtaining a warrant hasto be completed. The prosecutormust be given a complete copyof the case report to review and acriminal complaint generated fora victim or an officer to sign. Thecomplaint is then forwarded to ajudge for review for a summonsor warrant of arrest. Sometimes, acase needs to go before the grandjury for review for an indictment.The grand jury only hears casescertain times of the month. Eitherway, there is even more timeinvolved in getting the case readyto prosecute.Once a warrant has beensecured for the suspectedperpetrator of a crime, police nowhave to find the person to servethe warrant. Often a wantedperson knows that they are goingto jail and hide from the police ormove away from the area outright.After a suspected perpetratoris arrested, there will be apreliminary hearing within 14days where the facts of the caseare heard before a judge. This is aprobable cause hearing before adistrict judge, not a determinationof guilt. The suspected perpetratorOfc. Ed Harrisonalso has the opportunity to enter aplea of guilty or not guilty at thistime. A guilty plea speeds theprocess and the district judge maycomplete the case with sentencingat that time, otherwise the judgedetermines that the chargesagainst the suspected perpetratorare supported by probable cause,the case is transferred to trialcourt. This can also be a sourceof a significant amount of time asmore investigation in the case issometimes conducted. Waitingfor results from the lab of forensicevidence, trial preparation withprosecutors, witnesses and policeis conducted and schedulingwithin the courts for the trial alsoadds a significant amount of time.All of this and more is goingon usually out of the view of thevictim. When the victim does notknow what is going on, it is easy toassume that nothing is happeningwith the case and the victim can getfrustrated. Police and prosecutorstry to keep the victims involvedand with a little knowledge ofthe process involved the stressand frustration experienced byvictims can be minimized. Victimadvocates within the prosecutor’soffice and within the judicialsystem can be an excellent sourceto keep victim knowledgeable ofthe status of their case. Victimscan check with their investigatingofficer or the prosecutor’s office onhow best to stay informed.Knowledge is empowering.

EXTRA, EXTRA

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CASE: Car BombLate in the afternoon ofJuly 28th, 2011, an innocent andunsuspecting woman left herworkplace at the usual time tohead home and spend the restof the evening with her family.As she walked across the streetfrom her place of employmentto the parking garage, nothingunusual caught her eye, nothingappeared suspicious, all was well.She entered the parking garageand approached her shiny whiteconvertible Mustang, ready todrop the top and enjoy the warmair on the drive home.As she pushed the unlockbutton on her key fob she noticedthe lights of the Mustang didnot flash and the doors failed tounlock. Assuming the battery hadgone dead; she casually revertedto the old fashioned practice ofunlocking the door with the keyand gave it no further thought. Shesat down in the driver’s seat andbegan to close the door behindher. This is where her day changed.After closing the door, shepositioned herself to prepareto drive, placed the key in theignition, and reached her footfor the brake pedal. Suddenly, aloud, concussive, fiery explosionconsumed her and her car. Theconvertible top she had hopedto lower for the drive home wasforced upward by the pressureand completely torn from the car.The doors on each side of the carpushed outward so much the doorhandles were blown off. Everywindow was blown out and glasspeppered the surrounding carslanding all the way to the far endof the parking garage. Flames shotup and around the woman as shesat helplessly and confused in thedriver’s seat. As soon as she hadthe sense to move she rushed fromthe car miraculously surviving withminor burns and bruises to herarms and legs.The scene looked like itcame straight out of a Hollywoodmafia movie. A mob hit on anunsuspecting rival. It’s interestinga similar defense would laterbe claimed by the suspect andeventual convicted perpetratorof this crime. His claim would notbe of a hit by the mob but insteadby Columbia drug lords and theirJamaican conspirators.Immediately after the incident,emergency personnel quicklyarrived on scene to render aid anddetermine what had happened.The first two police officers onscene slowly approached thesmoke filled parking garage andnoticed the strong odor of gunpowder. As they got closer to themangled Mustang they noticedthe remnants of a PVC pipe andwiring lying besidethe car. They hastilyfled the garagefearing a possiblesecondary explosivedevice. However, itwas now apparentthis explosion wascaused by a pipebomb.After being taken to theclosest emergency room, thevictim was advised by the doctorto go pursue further treatment ata nearby burn unit. She refusedinstead opting to go back homewith her loving husband so hecould care for her. So after shespoke with police, she, beingreassured that her husband wouldprotect her, went home with herhusband.In the meantime,investigators for the Ashland,KY Police Department, KentuckyState Police, and Federal Bureauof Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearmswere searching the bomb sitelooking for any clues as to whysomeone would want to hurt aninnocent working woman andwho would have the expertiseto construct such a device. ATFagents also traveled to the homeof the victim and located severalitems of interest owned by thevictim’s husband. After months ofinvestigation, interviews, forensicexaminations, and follow-ups onlyone person stuck out, the originalperson of interest, the victim’s own“loving” husband.

All the evidence pointedto someone that had to have anextended amount of access to theMustang. Enough time to wire thecar from front to back and attachthe wire to the brake light. Thissuspect had to have knowledgeof wiring and bomb making. Hehad to have the ability to setuphis destructive plan without beingnoticed or suspected. He even hadto render the Mustang keylessentry fob inoperable so as to notdetonate the bomb prematurely.Only one person had that muchaccess and experience. The onlything he lacked was the knowledgeof how to build a pipe bomb. Luckya little planning the suspect nowhad all he needed to complete hisscheme.But why would he want toharm the wife he loved and destroyhis whole family? The completeanswer can only be given by thesuspect himself but investigatorsfeel certain money had a big partin it. The computer exam alsofound evidence that the familywas far behind in payments on theMustang and investigators foundthat foreclosure proceedingshad already began on the familyhouse. The suspect had not hadsteady work in quite a while andfinances were beyond tight. Alsoloved, a car he could no longerafford, and cash in on a hefty setof life insurance policies was toogreat of a temptation for ThomasBiederman to withstand.At approximately 4:29pm onJuly 28th, 2011, Janie Biedermanentered her white Ford Mustangparked in the Sky Tower parkinggarage in Ashland, Kentucky andpressed the brake pedal settingoff a pipe bomb that had beenbuilt and installed by her ownhusband. If it had not been for thepoor quality of the bomb and theconvertible top of the Mustang,Janie would have surely died thatday. Instead she was allowed tocontinue her days in freedom whileThomas was convicted by a jury ofhis peers of Use of a Weapon ofMass Destruction and AttemptedMurder. He was sentenced to 40years in prison and will not beeligible for parole until the age of86.Det. Gavin Patrickfor him he had a computer and aGoogle search engine.Through computer forensicexaminations by Ashland PoliceDepartment investigators, wewere able to locate a series ofsearch terms the suspect had usedin a Google search bar on his homecomputer. Two of those searchterms were “pipe bomb detonator”and “pull string detonator”. Bothof which appeared to have beensearched only days before thebombing. Further examinationlocated the search term “howto make a pipe bomb”, whichresulted in hits of several videoshosted by Bing and Youtube. Withthe truth about the husband andwife relationship in the house wascoming to light. The two had notslept in the same bed togetherfor several years and had becomemore like roommates in all butlegal terms. The opportunity torid himself of a wife he no longer

Social MediaSocial media will allow theAshland Police Department toreach out to the public in a timelymanner and provide informationthat is free of filters of conventionalmedia.The fact is as of January 2013,the Ashland Police Departmenthas over 1,800 like or friends onthe departments Facebook page.This allows a reach of over 307,000friends! This means any pressrelease or search for a missingchild has the potential to reachover 300,000 people instantly.This effort has already shown itseffectiveness by helping to locatea missing child.Citizens are also getting moreinvolved in the war against crime.They are contacting investigatorsand helping to identify potentialsuspects. They are also providingtips at record rates leading officersto catch crimes in the act and beforethey occur. For example, a recent tipled officers to investigate a homesuspected of drug trafficking,where the officers followed upon the lead and we able to makearrests through the investigation.On another occasion, APD posteda photo from surveillance videoof an unidentified suspect andthe citizens tips led to the identityof the suspect. In this case, thepicture was worth a thousand tips.The Ashland PoliceDepartment also uses Twitter andNixle to provide citizens with timelyreports and information. Nixleallows for subscribers to receivedmessages via text messages fromtheir phones.Departments have learnedfrom many natural disasters, wherepower has failed and it is difficultto provide information. Socialmedia is allowing citizens to stayin touch without power using theirsmartphones.

We have an App for that...The Ashland Police Departmentexpanded even further than socialmedia. We created a smartphone appfor Apple and Android phones. Webelieve this is the next step in beingconnected with our citizens by stayingahead of the curve by providingcitizens to have the ability to beinvolved from their smartphones.With the app we are able tooffer connectivity in the palm of thehand. Citizens have access to manyresources in one convenient place:FacebookTwitterCall APD with a touchGeolocate APD for directionsCall and email Silent Witness lineApplaud an OfficerCalendarPress ReleasesCareersAnnual ReportObtain Collision ReportCity of Ashland ResourcesWe are able to use push notifications to sendout critical information straight to the citizensphone. This allows us real time communicationwith participants, which we reserve for criticalincidents to keep our citizens informed.

Citizen’s AcademyThe Ashland Police Department’sCitizens Police Academy was reinstatedby Chief Ratliff as the first class since1998. The idea remained the samethrough opening up communicationsbetween the community and thepolice department. It provides andpromotes a better understanding fromboth sides. The Citizens Academy wascompletely redesigned to incorporateparticipation and critical thinking ofthe recruits, and of course having agreat time.The “recruits” were introduced tointo the daily activities of an officer,along with many of the tools they useto protect our citizens. The recruits“worked a case” from start to finishby receiving a radio call, collectingevidence, interviewing witnesses,suspects, and victims. They wereintroduced to the court system andparticipated in a preliminary hearingwith Honorable Judge Reese. Recruitsparticipated with the Special ResponseTeam in dynamic building searchesand were able to experience some ofthe most advanced crime fighting toolsavailable to law enforcement today.Each recruit had the opportunity toparticipate in firearms training using thefirearms simulator for decision makingsituations of armed encounters. Theywere also afforded the opportunity

S.R.O.School Resource OfficerThe Ashland Police Department’s YouthServices program has developed over theyears to better address the community’schanging juvenile needs and to offer to theyouth of our community the opportunity tosucceed. The School Resource Officer (SRO)program was developed to address juvenilecrime and safety concerns in our local schools.The SRO program places a police officerin the grade, middle, and high schools withthe goal of creating and maintaining safe,secure, and orderly learning environmentsfor students, teachers, and staff. The SROprogram reflects the community’s desireto ensure that its schools are safe, secure,and orderly. SRO’s represent a proactivestrategy designed to bring prevention andintervention into the schools.The Ashland Police Department SRO ison campus daily at Paul G. Blazer High School,Verity Middle School, and our grade schools.The presence of a uniformed police officerprovides a deterrent to criminal activity bydiscouraging unwanted and undesirablevisitors on the school grounds or in thesurrounding area.The SRO provides support and trainingfor school staff on issues of juvenile law,substance abuse, and school safety. TheSRO also educates students on topics suchas internet safety, cyber bullying, bus safety,bicycle safety, and other subjects relatedto the safety of students while at schooland at home. The SRO investigates crimescommitted by juveniles and is involved inplanning and executing several enforcementprograms throughout the year. The SchoolResource Officer is a positive role modelfor many students who are not exposedto such role models in today’s society, andhis presence in the school sends a strongmessage that violence and certain behaviorsare not acceptable.Kentucky statutes define a SRO as a swornlaw enforcement officer who has specializedtraining to work with youth at a school site.These SROs serve in variety of roles includinglaw enforcement officer, law-related educator,problem-solver, and community liaison. TheAshland Police Department SRO plays a vitalrole to our schools in the City of Ashland.SRO E.J.ChurchArtist: Elena Sandifer

MeettheC.R.U.CRITICALRESPONSEUNITReprinted with permission by the Daily Independent.Kenneth Hart, ReporterASHLAND — The Ashland Police Departmenthas a new addition to its vehicle fleet. And, it didn’tcost the city a cent.Boyd County Emergency Medical Servicesrecently donated one of its old ambulances, a 2003International, to the APD, where it will be used for avariety of purposes, according to the department’sleaders.The vehicle is one of the first purchased by BoydEMS when it switched from van- to medium-dutytruck-based ambulances. It and one other identicalvehicle recently became surplus when the servicewas able to take delivery of two new Freightlinerambulances much earlier than anticipated due toanother agency canceling its order, Boyd EMS DirectorTom Adams said.The EMS decided to donate one of the vehiclesto the city and one to the county, Adams said. TheAPD did the legwork and was able to demonstrate aneed for it, so the city opted to let the departmenthave it, he said.The county is using its former ambulance in theroad department as a large-tool transport vehicle,Adams said.The APD’s vehicle has 166,000 miles on it.However, according to Adams, it’s still very muchmechanically sound. And, given the fact the policedepartment won’t be using it every day, like theambulance service did, the truck should have plentyof life left in it, he said.The vehicle didn’t require a lot of work to makeit ready for police duty, especially since most of theambulance equipment had been removed whenthe APD got it, Maj. Todd Kelley said. The ambulancemarkings were removed and a new blue-and-yellowgraphics scheme was applied, and the red lenses inthe truck’s emergency lights were swapped out forblue ones, he said.Kelley said the vehicle has been out on twocalls already. He said it would myriad uses for thedepartment, including as mobile command post,an evidence intake and processing center at crimescenes, a “rehab” vehicle where officers working crimeand/or accident scenes can go to escape from theheat or cold and a transporter for the department’sSpecial Response Team.According to APD Chief Rob Ratliff, one of thecalls on which the vehicle was used was for warrantservice, and it required the SRT. All 11 members of theteam and their gear were able to fit inside it, he said. Itmade for a much more orderly and efficient responsethan having to send a convoy of cruisers to the scene,he said.“We’ll get a lot of use out of (the vehicle),” Ratliffsaid. “We’re glad to have it and we really appreciateBoyd EMS donating it to us.”

Lt. Bill Bare - Air ForceLt. Michael Crawford - Air ForceLt. William Hensley - ArmyOfc. Rick Twedell - ArmyOfc. Chris Kohut - Air ForceOfc. Steve Moore - Air ForceOfc. Rob Simpson - ArmyOfc. Troy Patrick - Air ForceOfc. Tony Floyd - Air ForceOfc. Jeremy Barada - ArmyOfc. Kevin Williams - Army National GuardOfc. Williams is a recipiantof the Purple HeartOfficer Floyd returns home

So You Want To WearThe Badge?The process of selecting candidates for policeofficers is strenuous and long. From advertisementto going solo, you are looking at approximately an11 ½ month process. Before you throw your namein the hat, you must meet these prerequisites to beconsidered:Requirements: must be a high school graduateor have earned GED; must be 21 years of age by dateof submission of application and not over 50 years ofage; must be an orderly, law abiding citizen with noprior felony conviction(s) or conviction(s) of domesticviolence; not prohibited by federal or state law frompossessing a firearm; if a veteran of any branch of theArmed Forces, you must have received an honorabledischarge as indicated by your DD214; not have hadcertification as a peace officer revoked in Kentuckyor any other state; must be willing to and become aqualified resident of Kentucky prior to administrationof the Oath of Office, if employed; must acquire/possess/maintain a valid Kentucky driver’s license;be willing to undergo and successfully completethorough physical agility tests; be fingerprintedand undergo and successfully complete a thoroughpersonal background investigation; be willing tocomplete a suitability screener examination; bewilling to submit to and successfully completepolygraph testing and after a conditional offer ofemployment, be willing to undergo and successfullycomplete thorough medical examinations; must,as a pre-condition to employment and a conditionto continued employment, execute a waiver tosubmit to random drug testing for illicit drugs; mustsuccessfully complete DOCJT basic training academyat Richmond, KY; and must acquire/maintaincertification as a Kentucky police officer. Anyapplicant who is a “certified peace officer” as definedin KRS 15.382 must provide a copy of the PeaceOfficer Professional Standards Certification issuedby the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council with theapplication - as these applications will be processedin a streamlined employment process.Successful candidates will begin basic training atthe Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Trainingin Richmond. Here, you will undergo 18 weeks ofcomprehensive basic training, rated as one of thebest in nation. Following basic training, recruits enterour field training officer program where they shadowa veteran officer for 12 weeks. Only then, will yousolo and serve out your first year as a probationaryofficer. The police officer selection process for theAshland Police Department is covered in detail by the“Comprehensive Hiring Ordinance for Police Officersfor the Department of Police of the city of Ashland”currently cited under city ordinance 121-2010. Youcan go to our website (ashlandkypd.com) and click onthe careers link in the middle of the page. Here, youwill find more detailed information on the selectionprocess.The U.S. Department of Justice, Office ofCommunity Oriented Policing hosts an excellentweb site “www.discoverpolicing.org” to show you thebenefits of a career in law enforcement. This link isfound on our website and is an excellent source ofinformation to introduce you to a rewarding career.The city of Ashland offers a complete benefits packageincluding hazardous duty retirement, competitivehealth insurance benefits, sick leave credited 1per month with a cap of 120 days, 3 weeks paidvacation, $25,000 life insurance policy with additionalvoluntary life insurance, and 10 paid holidays yearly.Remember, you must provide a photocopy of yourhigh school diploma/GED; copy of birth certificateand driver’s license; and a copy of your DD214, forthose who have served in our military. The AshlandPolice Department is a great place to work andprovide for your family. Your initial application canbe downloaded and printed at www.ashlandky.gov;applications are kept for 1 year. The city of Ashland isEqual Opportunity Employer.Major Mark McDowell

Awards andCommendationsThe Ashland Police Department Commendations and Awards program is to foster and maintain acontinuous program for extending official recognition to members of the Ashland Police Department (APD)who perform acts of meritorious service or who accomplish outstanding achievements. The Departmentshall extend official recognition to members of other law enforcement agencies, private citizens and otherCity employees who perform meritorious acts in rendering aid to a fellow citizen or the Department undercircumstances that are within the scope of Department responsibility. The ceremony is held each year in Mayto honor the achievements for the prior year.Combat Cross Award:May be awarded: To a departmentmember or member of another lawenforcement agency for an act ofheroism extending far above andbeyond the normal call of duty orservice performed at great risk tohis own safety or life in an effort tosave human life; To any departmentmember or member of anotherlaw enforcement agency for thesuccessful performance of an actof extraordinary heroism whileengaged in personal combat withan adversary at imminent hazardof life and the performance of dutyMay be awarded posthumously.Medal of Honor:May be awarded to a departmentmember or member of anotherlaw enforcement agency for anoutstanding act in the line of duty,at imminent personal hazard oflife, with full knowledge of the riskinvolved.Meritorious Service Medal:May be awarded for a highlyunusual accomplishment withsome degree of hazard to life andlimb to the nominee or wheredeath or injury to a third party isprevented.Honorable Service Award:May be awarded for a creditable actin the line of duty that meets somebut not all of the requirementsfor other medals, unusual in thenature of showing initiative andaccomplishment.Educational AchievementAwards:May be awarded to a memberin recognition of that member’scertified completion of a course ofinstruction resulting in a Degreefrom a recognized university, whilea member of the Department.Letters of Commendation:May be awarded by a commandofficer or the Chief of Police whena member’s performance does notqualify for any other award.Certificate of appreciationMay be issued to any citizenfor services rendered to theDepartment.Life Saving Award:May be awarded to a departmentmember for an act performedin the line of duty that, throughdisregard for personal safety orprompt and alert action results insaving a life. Officers performingcardiopulmonary resuscitation willbe eligible for this award.Civilian Service Award:May be awarded for personalassistance by a civilian inapprehending a criminal, or inextending oneself beyond onesown safety to provide promptaction to aid people who are indanger.Exceptional Duty Award:May be awarded for a highlycreditable accomplishmentbringing public acclaim to himself,his department, or the policeprofession, as a result of training,devotion to duty, or service to thepublic.

2011 AwardsCOMBAT CROSSBrian Horn, OfficerMERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDDavid Slone, MajorMark E. McDowell, LieutenantJ. Ryan Conley, SergeantEXCEPTIONAL DUTYDarren Wilson, LieutenantBill Bare, LieutenantJ. Ryan Conley, SergeantRichard Bohanon, Detective (2)David Cannoy, Officer (2)Brian Clark, DetectiveMatt Davis, OfficerEdwin Harrison, OfficerJason Hartzler, OfficerEric Homan, OfficerEric Jordan, DetectiveScott Menefee, Officer (2)Danny Mooney, OfficerSteve Moore, OfficerGavin Patrick, DetectiveAngelleen O’Pell, OfficerJR Schoch, OfficerRobert Simpson, OfficerJoshua Steele, OfficerDelmar Barber, Public ServiceOfficerBetty Headley, Public Service OfficerTracey Lobaldo, Public ServiceOfficerHONORABLE SERVICEJ. Ryan Conley, SergeantJay Church, OfficerEric Homan, OfficerChristopher Kohut, OfficerAngelleen O’Pell, OfficerCERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATIONCharlie CapertonJon JarrellAndy LightMike LightBill LewisJohn StaffordBrian WheelerEDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTAngelleen O’Pell, OfficerLETTER OF COMMENDATIONRobert Ratliff, ChiefTodd Kelley, MajorJeremy Barada, OfficerRobert Brunty, OfficerAdam Daniels, OfficerEdwin Harrison, OfficerEric Homan, OfficerChristopher Kohut, OfficerChristopher Lee, OfficerDan Mooney, OfficerGavin Patrick, DetectiveGlenn Porter, Jr., OfficerRick Tweddell, OfficerLIFE SAVINGJames Dooley, OfficerChris Barnett, APD FirefighterJeff Crews, APD Firefighter (2)Wade Franklin, APD Firefighter (2)CIVILIAN SERVICESavannah BruntyLarry CampSteve CorbittLaura HallJames E. HutchinsonJames McManusWilliam ToppingsLee YorkCombat CrossMedal of HonorMeritorious ServiceHonorable ServiceExceptional DutyLife Saving

To Protect & ServeFIELD OPERATIONS DIVISIONThe Field Operations Divisionis the backbone of the policedepartment. The division isresponsible for shifts of uniformedpatrol officers, sergeants andlieutenants who perform amultitude of tasks, to includetraffic enforcement, respondingto emergencies, investigatingcriminal activity, conductingproactive patrol and for the initialresponse to all of complaints orcalls for service requested byAshland residents. Officers areresponsible for the protectionof life and property; helping tomaintain peace, order and safetyfor all citizens, and routine patrolof neighborhoods and businesses.The Ashland PoliceDepartment operates on acommunity policing attitude.Ashland is divided into patrolbeats for the purpose of equallydistributing police resourcesaround the city. This increasespublic safety and police servicein a number of ways to includebetter patrol officer allocationthroughout the city, decreasedresponse times, and increasedpolice visibility. Patrol beats alsoallow our officers to become morefamiliar with the neighborhoodsand businesses they patrol alongwith public safety issues that maybe specific to that area of the city.The interaction is invaluable andallows our officers to become morepersonable to our community.The Field Operations Divisionhas some specialties that are usedto accomplish its mission. Thesespecialties are select officers thatperform additional duties suchas Traffic Crash Reconstruction,Drug Recognition Experts (D.R.E.),Field Training Officers (F.T.O.) andBicycle Patrol.TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISIONThe Technical ServicesDivision consists of the CriminalInvestigations and SupportServices Sections commandedby a Major. In addition the majoris assigned as the accreditationmanager, training director,oversees asset forfeiture andadministrative functions to assistthe Chief of Police.Criminal Investigations SectionThe Criminal InvestigationsSection is primarily responsiblefor the investigation of majorfelony crimes such as homicide,aggravated assault, sexual assault,burglary, robbery, and any complexinvestigations. The investigatorsassigned to these crimes havedeveloped an advanced level ofexpertise by attending specializedtraining and by gaining years ofexperience working on complexcases with colleagues at the federal,state, and local levels. Investigatingcomplex major crimes requiresthe dedication, cooperation,and assistance of a variety ofindividuals and units. Investigatorswork closely with patrol officersto identify witnesses, preservemajor crime scenes, gathercritical information, and developleads. They also work closelywith officials from other agenciesto solve crime that inevitablycrosses jurisdictional lines. Otherspecialties of the section areinvestigators investigate computerrelated crimes such as internetcrimes against children andforensic evaluation of computerequipment.Support Services SectionThe Support Services Sectionsupports the mission of theField Operations Division andCriminal Investigations Section byproviding records information andstorage, evidence storage, courtliaison services and communityresources. The section is alsoresponsible for maintaining theinformation technology needs ofthe department.The section includes theSchool Resource and the D.A.R.E.officers. Both are able to multitaskand conduct crime preventionactivities, give suggestionson crime prevention throughenvironmental design (CPTED) anda variety of community orientedactivities.The section includes civilianemployees and is responsiblefor a variety of duties, rangingfrom public requests in person,maintaining records, maintainingcustody of evidence and parkingenforcement throughout the City.By Major Todd KelleyTechnical Services Commander

Records SectionAshland Police DepartmentIt is the goal of the Ashland Police Departmentto support and promote openness in governmentby releasing information in a timely and responsiblemanner. It is our obligation to protect the lives andproperty of the residents of Ashland and to ensurethat those who stand accused of violating the lawreceive a fair trial.Police Records are maintained for a variety ofpurposes. It is our duty to disseminate the recordsappropriately, always weighing the competinginterests of all parties involved. It is important that weconsider the need to know, right to know, and whatis best for the public interest. Many police reports arenot available for public release. In the event that arequested case is an open investigation, only the firstpage of the report can be released. Allow 5-7 businessdays for the report to be processed; you may call tosee if the report is ready.Overview:This Support Services Section of the AshlandPolice Department is led by Sgt. Ryan Conley andconsists of three Units:Records: Provides records and retrieval services,including accident and incident reports.Property: Processes all found property andevidence seized in the city. To contact the propertyofficer, please call 606-327-2062 between 8:30 amand 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.Parking Enforcement: Enforces parkingregulations in the city of Ashland, including parkingmeters, 2 hour parking and residential parking.The Records Section is led by Sgt. J. Ryan Conley.Obtaining a Crime Report:There are two ways to obtain a police report. Thefirst way is to come in person to the Police DepartmentRecords Section, request the needed report and paythe fee (10 cents per page).The second way is to request a copy by mail. Printout the police report request form [link to pdf form],fill it out, and mail it along with a check or moneyorder payable to the City Cashier and a self-addressedstamp. If you cannot print the document, you maywrite a letter requesting the report. You must includethe type of incident or accident, date and location ofthe incident and a self-addressed stamped envelope.Please include payment for the copy.Report release is governed by the Open RecordsAct per Kentucky Revised Statute.Obtaining a Collision Report:In person at Ashland Police Department. Thefee is $5.00 per report cash or check; the PoliceDepartment is not able to accept credit or debit cards.On the internet at www.kyonlinereports.comThe fee is $10.00 online and is paid by debit orcredit card.All support or issues with the website arethrough www.kyonlinereports.com and not theAshland Police Department.The fees and requirements are set by KRS189.635. Per KRS 189.635 to obtain a copy of a VehicleAccident Report (Collision Report), you must be aparty to the accident, the parent/guardian of a minorwho is party to the accident, insurers of any partywho is the subject of the report, or an attorney of theparties.You will need the following information (givento you by the officer taking the report):-Date of collision/accident-Your Last Name-Local incident/report code-Officer Badge number-Agency ORIAshland Police Department201 17th StreetAshland, KY 41101606-327-2020Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday-Friday(except holidays)

ParkingAshland Police DepartmentEnforcementWith businesses once again flourishing indowntown Ashland, our police department is doingits part to make sure there is always parking readilyavailable for patrons.are in process of loading or unloading. There is no fineassociated with this courtesy notice, but checks willbe made to make sure you are not using the space inan improper manner. (Ordinance no. 55 of 2009)Parking LimitsDowntown parking has a two hour parking limit,after two hours the vehicle must be moved to anotherspace.Some parking spaces have a parking meter.Spots that are metered are requiring the fee listedon the meter. The two hour limit still applies, as thevehicle would need to be moved before the two hoursexpires. (Ordinance no. 102 of 2008) There are twotypes of meters downtown indicated by their color.A gray meter is for up to two hours parking. A redmeter is for up to 15 minutes parking and only exceptone nickel. The 15 minute meters allow for a quick,convenient stop such as paying a bill, or picking uplunch from one of our local restaurants.Loading ZonesIn a city like Ashland,every part of town offers awide range of services. Tohelp with the convenience ofpicking up and dropping offloads at our establishments,the City of Ashland hasloading zones available foruse all over town. Rememberthat when occupying oneof the loading zones, you must have your hazardlights blinking and show signs of actively loadingor unloading. When a vehicle is in a loading zone,it receives what it called a courtesy notice. Thatcourtesy notice basically means, we are aware youCity of Ashland parkingordinances may be viewed at:www.ashlandky.govPainted CurbingLast but not least, please be aware of the markson the streets and sidewalks all over town. Yellow isfor No Parking. White is for Residential Parking. Blueis for Handicapped parking. Please be respectful ofthe few, but strictly enforced parking regulations ofAshland, KY and those who enforce them.What to do if you receive a parking ticket.If you do receive a ticket for overtime parking, inthe downtown area’s you will find red drop boxes topay your fine in the yellow envelope given with theticket. They can also be paid in person at the AshlandPolice Department (cash only), the Ashland CityBuilding (cash, credit, or debit), or over the phone bydebit/credit card. (Ordinanceno. 140 of 2000)If you have received aparking citation, and youfeel there is a problem withthe parking meter, thereare procedures in place tohave the meter checked formalfunctions. If the meter isfound to be in ill repair, theticket will be excused and youwill be notified of our findings. Forms are availableat the Police Department to have the parking meterinspected by the Street Department.

Operation River CitiesThe Ashland Police Departmentparticipated in a sex offender registrationcompliance check with representativesfrom several local, state and federal lawenforcement agencies called “OperationRiver Cities.” The initiative, which was on Dec.5 and 6, involved compliance-checking sexoffenders in six Kentucky counties to makesure they were obeying registration laws.The sweep covered the counties of Boyd,Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence and Lewiscounties. A total of 176 compliance checkswere conducted. Ashland Police officers werepartnered with deputies of the Boyd CountySheriff’s Department and the United StatesMarshal to make inquiries on 55 individualslisted as living in Ashland-Boyd County. Theoperation resulted in sending a message tothe community and registered sex offendersthat we are keeping an eye on them.In Ashland, a computer was confiscatedfor examination of the sex offender registrylaws. It also resulted in three sex offendersbeing charged for being non-compliant.Those offenders weren’t residing at theirregistered addresses. One also was chargedwith having a Facebook account, which isprohibited.Ages of sex offenders’ child victimsranged from 3 to 17. Fourteen were 18 orolder at the time they were victimized andthe ages of nine victims were unknown. Theages of the offenders ranged from 21 to 78.Nationally, about 10 percent of sexoffenders are non-compliant with registrationlaws, and the results of Operation River Citieswere well below the national statistics.Local and state agencies were thebackbone of the effort, with support fromthe U.S. Marshals Service, but federal law alsoempowers the Marshals Service to enforce sexoffender registration laws. Also, if an offendermoves from one state to another and fails toregister within a set time period, it becomesa federal crime.Other agencies participating inOperation River Cities were the Boyd,Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence and LewisCounty sheriff’s departments; the Flatwoods,Grayson, Greenup, Louisa, Raceland, Russell,South Shore, Vanceburg and Worthingtonpolice departments; Kentucky Probation& Parole and the Kentucky State Police.

Criminal Investigations SectionThe Criminal Investigation Sectionis responsible for effectively identifying,apprehending, and assisting in theprosecution of those responsible for crimes.They also analyze crime tends and patterns soas to proactively intervene with appropriateresources. We encourage the community toremain involved by reporting criminal activityand providing us with witness statements. Itis imperative the citizens stay involved andtake a stand against crime in our passion toprotect Ashland.Detectives are normally assignedto several types of crimes to investigate.Detectives recieve specialized training andequipment to assisit in collecting evidence.Each Detective has developed several areasof expertise, become very proficient andknowledgeable, well developing professionalCISassociations with other Law Enforcementagencies. CIS has three detectives supervisedby Lt. Darren Wilson.The Criminal Investigations Sectionhandles the followings details: Homicide-Assault, Special Assault, Arson, ResidentialBurglary, Computer crimes, CommercialBurglary, Robbery, Forgery/Fraud/IdentityTheft, Auto Theft-Auto Burglary, DomesticCrimes, Youth and Family Services, PhotoLab, Forensic Services, Support Staff andSubpoena Control.The Criminal Investigations Section conductsseparate narcotic investigations that are complexand require in depth investigations. The arrests fromthese investigations are coded as arrests on warrants.The results are listed below:In the calendar year 2012, the detectivesin the Criminal Investigations Section producedthe following numbers associated with narcoticstrafficking investigations:72- Cases were presented for prosecution eitherthrough the Grand Jury or through the prosecutionrequest process. (16 of these cases were frominvestigations initiated in 2011)51- Defendants were charged either by GrandJury Indictments or complaint warrants of arrest.93- Felony charges on the 51 defendants.37- Arrests have been made to date of the 51defendants.14- Additional open cases are pending.

Meth and YouI remember as a young officer manyyears ago, I was sitting in a Departmentof Criminal Justice training course andthe topic was methamphetamines. AsI sat there the instructor explained thedifferent facets and ingredients of methI thought to myself, “I hope we neversee this in Ashland, KY.” The storieswere horrific of injured children andfamilies torn apart and for the first timein my life I heard someone tell me theyuse camping fuel, fertilizer and otherhousehold chemicals, mixed them allup with cold medicine and put them intheir bodies. I was well-versed in cocaine,marijuana and prescription narcotics, butthis concoction seemed unreal. As thetraining progressed, I found myself moreand more confused and could only askhow, what and why. The training seemedto fly by. I left that day of trainingdazed and confused, gaining enoughknowledge to pass an exam but still notreally grasping the concept. I left saying,“We don’t have meth in Ashland, KY and Ihope we never get it.”Now, to present day, I have severalmore years experience under my belt andeven a stint with the Kentucky State PoliceDrug Enforcement Special InvestigativeUnit where I was told I would be goingthrough an extensive training program onClandestine Labs. As most of us would,when I think of a lab I think back to highschool chemistry with all kinds of beakersand tubes. I heard the term super labsmentioned, well let’s just say the trainingwasn’t what I was expecting.Instead of beakers and tubes Iwas introduced to a world of plasticbottles and rubber tubing. You seemethamphetamines or the substancereferred to as “meth,” “speed,” “crystal,” or“ice,” is not a glamorous lab. It was dirtyand unkept.The list of meth ingredients readslike the normal everyday items eachof us would have around our homes;mason jars, propane tanks, campingfuel, ammonia nitrate (fertilizer), starterfluid, coffee filters, funnels, salt, peroxide,drain cleaner, lithium batteries andpseudoephedrine tablets. This was notthe lab or the ingredients I was expecting,to say the least.So, what is meth? You ask, or howdoes this affect me? Good questions.Methamphetamine is a centralnervous system stimulant similar toamphetamines. Methamphetamine is awhite, odorless, bitter tasting crystallinepowder. Methamphetamine can bedissolved in water or alcohol and istaken orally, through the nasal passages(snorting), by needle or smoking.Methamphetamine increases the releaseand blocks the reuptake of the brainchemical dopamine. This process leadsto a heavy dumping of the chemicalinto the brain. The release of Dopamineresults in high reward, motivation andthe experience of pleasure and increasedmotor function.I mentioned earlier I hoped Iwould never see meth in Ashland, KY.Unfortunately my hopes have beendashed. According to KSP crime statisticsin 2011 there was only 1 meth lab in BoydCounty and that lab was in Ashland, KY. Iremember, I was there to clean it up. As Istood in the parking lot my mind thoughtback to, “I hope we never get those inAshland” to “oh no they are here.” In 2012in Ashland, KY we have had 12 reportedlabs. The number 12 is not a largenumber but the cost statewide is. In 2010it was estimated that meth lab responsescost the state of KY $2.9 million and thenumber of labs responded to was 1,078.Statewide in 2011 there were 1,233 methlabs at a cost of around $3.3 million. Thenumbers are not yet out for 2012 but inAshland alone the 12 meth labs representa cost of $32,280, those dollar figures arepaid by the tax payer.Statics and numbers mean littlewhen compared to the cost to familiesand children. You see, we are all at riskwhen it come the production and useof meth. Meth does not see financial orracial boundaries. Its victims are bothyoung and old. I refer to the one of themost recent cases of meth production Iinvestigated. The case was in a middleclassarea of town not where a suspectedmeth lab should be found. I remembersifting through a trash container filledwith flies and maggots, the smell. In thecontainer we found empty packages ofpseudoephedrine, ripped up batteries,melted plastic bottles with tubingin them, used cold packs and what Irefer to as a bomb. You see in order forsomeone to make meth they have tomake a bomb of ammonia nitrate andcamping fuel or similar chemicals. Aftersifting through the trash for a bit we wentinside the residence and there were stillmore signs of the production of methand drug use. The resident, a mother inher early 30’s was arrested, but to explainhow this affects you and me we need tolook no further than the back bedroomof the home. Inside the room we findpink blankets, stuffed animals and toysfor a little girl. To be precise a little redhead, freckle- face girl about 6 or 7 yearsof age. I will not display a photo of thischild I will only allow you to visualize herrosy cheeks and sparkling eyes as sheasks if mommy is going to jail. As we sayour good-byes I can only think of what isgoing on in the girls mind. Will she foreverdespise the police for taking her mom?Will her life ever be “normal?” Regardlessof her thoughts, her life is changed andinnocence has been lost all for the sakeof a high. Mommy will go to jail, I willclean the lab, stats will be generated butthe monetary price to society seems tofade as the living price stands on her frontporch and waves goodbye.Det. Brian Clark

CyberCrimesComputers have becomean undeniable part of just abouteveryone’s life. It is unlikely there isa person alive today that has not atleast seen some type of computeror electronic device. Our livesare so connected to electronicsit’s hard for modern people toimagine a time before computersor a life without a dependence onmodern technology. Electronicsare so tied to human life theyare being incorporated into thehuman body. Computers are beingused to keep hearts pumpingand keep diabetes under control.They are even being developedto help the blind to see, the deafto hear, and to replace lost limbs.The possibilities for electronics areendless and will no doubt continueto expand exponentially over thecoming years.Unfortunately, as with otherthings, there is a downside tothe expansion of computertechnology into our everyday lives.Criminals have found many waysto use computers to commit theirchoice of illegal indiscretions. Fromfraud, forgery, and theft to childexploitation, kidnapping, murder,and everything in between haveall been documented crimesperpetrated via an electronicdevice. Just as computers andcellular phones now play a vitalrole in the everyday citizen’s life sotoo do they play an ever expandingrole in criminal activity.Criminals can use cellularphones to communicate andmake it nearly impossible to betraced or tracked in real time asthey complete their evil schemes.Pedophiles are able to trade theircollections via the internet andremain virtually anonymous andunknown. Scammers can buyand trade their victim’s personaland financial information withother scammers in order todefraud unsuspecting individuals.Basic computers are used withinexpensive printers to counterfeitUS currency and create forgedchecks. The list of crimes that canbe committed using an electronicdevice or that may involveelectronic evidence of some sortcontinues to expand. Every personthat is in contact with a computercan become victim to one of thesecrimes.The Ashland PoliceDepartment has establishedthe Cyber Crimes Unit in orderto investigate and help preventcrimes involving electronicdevices including desktopcomputers, laptops, portablehard drives, thumb drives, digitalcameras, flash memory, cellularphones, surveillance systems, CDs,DVDs, and nearly any device withmemory. At the APD two state-ofthe-artF.R.E.D. (Forensic Recoveryof Evidence Device) machines areused to analyze and examine thememory on the devices to locateand seize any pertinent evidence.Programs such as Access Data’sForensic Toolkit and GuidanceSoftware’s Encase Forensics areused to identify the millions offiles found on computer harddrives and organize them so theexaminer can more easily findthat vital evidence. Access Data’sMobile Phone Examiner (MPE+) isused to extract information fromcellular phones, tablets, and otherportable devices to examine thecontents of the devices’ memory.Finally, the Starwitness videoenhancement system allowsinvestigators to enhance video andimages taken from surveillancefootage to help identify suspectsand vehicles involved in crimes.

The typical process ofexamination includes firstremoving the computer’shard drive. It is then placed onwhat is called a “write blocker”which prevents anything frombeing changed on the harddrive therefore maintaining theevidence. The hard drive is thenforensically imaged; meaning anexact bit for bit copy of the harddrive is made. The original harddrive is then placed back into theseized computer and securedin the APD Property Room. Theexaminer can now analyze andexamine the write blocked copywhile the original evidence remainsprotected and unchanged. Afterthe examiner has completed theirexamination, a report is completedshowing the results of the analysisand examination.Much of the computerequipment in APD’s ComputerCrimes Lab has been providedthrough partnerships with theUS Secret Service and the FBIRegional Computer Forensics Labin Louisville, KY. This equipmentincludes the above mentionedF.R.E.D. machine, forensic software,laptops for on-scene triage ofevidence, a TD1 forensic duplicator,write blockers, multiple harddrives, thumb drives, card readers,cameras, and tool kits. All of thisequipment is maintained in theComputer Crimes Lab within theCriminal Investigations Section ofthe APD.Computer Forensic Examiners with the APD have extensive trainingin the following area:US Secret Service National Computer Forensic InstituteAccess Data’s five day Forensic BootcampAccessData’s Certified Examiner ProgramAccess Data’s Windows XP ForensicsAccess Data’s Internet ForensicsAccess Data’s Mobile Phone Examiner AnalysisAccess Data’s iOS ForensicsAccess Data’s Windows Registry ForensicsATC-NY MacMarshal Digital Forensics TrainingNational White Collar Crime Center’s Fast Track SeriesDigital Intelligence Computer Forensics with F.R.E.D. courseInternet Crimes Against Children Strategies for Effective Investigationand Prosecution of Child Exploitation OffensesFBI ImageScan Software Training CourseArtist: Elena Sandifer

Special Response TeamSRTThe Ashland Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) consists of departmentmembers from both police divisions and train to deal with dangerous situations requiringthe use of specialized equipment and tactics. The number one goal for the department’sSpecial Response Team is to quickly resolve high risk incidents with no injuries to officers,suspects or hostages. The Special Response Team’s main area of responsibility is the City ofAshland however can respond to other jurisdictions when requested for mutual aid.Incidents in which the Special Response Team would respond include:Hostage situationsBarricaded suspectsHigh risk arrestHigh risk searchHigh risk stake-outsSearch and RescueTerrorist threat or attackHonor GuardThe Ashland Police Honor Guard isdesignated to provide the Department witha specially trained ceremonial team to renderhonors, preserve tradition, stimulate Esprit-decorpsand instill pride.The Honor Guard accomplishes this byproviding guidance and uniformity in theconduct of ceremonies and by establishinga specific sequence of events during thoseceremonies. The unit also provides a highlytrained, specially uniformed group of motivatedOfficers to perform the particulars of thoseceremonies.

Drug TakebackPatrol and Narcoticinvestigators spend a lot of timeinvestigating illegal drugs. Thoseinvestigative efforts are timeconsuming and can sometimesnot get the narcotics off the streets.With that in mind citizens maynot realize that prescription drugabuse is the largest drug abuseproblem in the United Statestoday. Major Todd Kelley, TechnicalServices Commander, made itone of his priorities when hetransferred to the Division in 2011,to give citizens the opportunity toreduce the opportunities to accessprescription drugs.In an effort to reduce theseopportunities, application wasmade to the Drug EnforcementAdministration to become partof the National Drug Take-backinitiatives. Drug diversion - theft,burglary, illegal possession anddrug abuse - is a major crime inhouseholds where narcotics arepresent. The disposal of unwanteddrugs as trash or by flushing themdown the sink or toilet is unwiseand dangerous to the environmentand the water supply.DRUG ENFORCEMENTADMINISTRATION DRUG TAKE-BACK PROGRAMOn Saturday, April 28 andSeptember 29, the Ashland PoliceDepartment collected a combined400 pounds of prescriptionmedications from members ofthe community. Ashland arearesidents emptied medicinecabinets, bedside tables, andkitchen drawers of unwanted,unused, and expired prescriptiondrugs and took them to collectionsites located at the AshlandPolice Headquarters and to King’sDaughters Medical Center aspart of the Drug EnforcementAdministration’s (DEA) NationalPrescription Drug Take-Back Day.Our community added to thecollections from the DEA’s previousfour Take-Back events. In thoseevents more than 2 million poundsof medications were removed fromcirculation.According to the 2011Substance Abuse and MentalHealth Services Administration’sNational Survey on Drug Useand Health (NSDUH), more thansix million Americans abuseprescription drugs. That samestudy revealed more than 70percent of people abusingprescription pain relievers gotthem through friends or relatives,a statistic that includes raiding thefamily medicine cabinet.The National PrescriptionDrug Take-Back Day aims toprovide a safe, convenient, andresponsible means of disposal,while also educating the generalpublic about the potential forabuse of these medications.Shortly after DEA’s first Take-Back Day event two years ago,Congress passed, and PresidentObama signed, the Secure andResponsible Drug DisposalAct of 2010, which amendedthe Controlled Substances Act(CSA), allowing DEA to developpermanent, ongoing, andresponsible methods for disposal.Prior to the passage of theDisposal Act, the CSA providedno legal means for transferringpossession of controlled substancemedications from users to otherindividuals for disposal.DRUG DROP OFF PROGRAMCONTINUES ALL YEAR LONGThe Ashland PoliceDepartment does take inmedications in between the takebackinitiatives. Any citizen canbring unwanted medication tothe Information Desk at policeheadquarters Monday throughFriday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.If citizens are concerned abouttransporting a call can be madeto the non-emergency number606-327-2020 to schedule anappointment to have an officerpick up the medication. Pickupservices are only available withinthe corporation limits of the City ofAshland.

PropertyOfc. Jordan is a seventeen17 year veteran of the AshlandPolice Department, and servesas the property officer for thedepartment. During his 17 yearcareer, he has served in manyareas of the department, toinclude: Patrol Officer, Detective,Special Response Team, LessLethal Instructor, Defensive TacticsInstructor, Range Officer, FieldTraining Officer, and Crime SceneInvestigator. Currently along withhis duties as property officer, heamone of the department’s crimescene technicians, and tasked withassisting at major crime scenes andconducting forensic examinationsof evidence collected by APDmembers. His background alsoincludes background investigatorfor the department in regardsto recruitment, retention andbackground investigations for newhires.The main task of the propertyofficer is to maintain the chain ofcustody of all evidence that comesinto the department’s possessionduring an investigation.Maintaining the chain of custodyis always knowing where theevidence is. That could be in themain storage area, one of theKentucky State Police Crime labsor when an investigator signs outthe evidence. The property officerat times will transport evidenceto and from the crime labs whenan analysis is required and alsotake evidence to court to presentthe evidence at trial and testifyabout the entire chain of custodyto the court and to a jury. Afterthe evidence is no longer needed,the property officer attempts toreturn the evidence to the originalowner or properly disposes of theevidence at the courts discretion.Over six years ago this officebegan an effort to purge old,unnecessary and no longer neededevidence from the system and thateffort still continues. Every year ourgoal is to purge more items fromthe system than are taken in. Eachcase and all the exhibits in that caseare recorded in a computerizeddatabase especially designed forevidence tracking, this database ismaintained by the property officer.In 2008 the Ashland PoliceDepartment became an accreditedagency through the KentuckyAssociation of Chiefs of Police.Since that time we have workedwith the accreditation boardnot only to maintain the highstandard of accreditation but alsoimplement changes as the needarises.The property officer is alsoresponsible for the managementof department assets. All of theassets are now tracked by acomputer program from the timethey are purchased until they areno longer needed or serviceable.An annual inventory is taken inthe fall of each year to account forOfc. Eric Jordaneach item purchased and ownedby the department.In 2012 the Ashland PoliceDepartment received 909 casesthat had evidence entered intothem along with 2162 individualpieces of evidence. During thatsame time we closed 670 casesthat had evidence entered intothem along with 1695 individualpieces of evidence disposed of.Release of PropertyIf you have property beingheld by APD, the property mustbe cleared for release by theprosecutor and/or the case officer.If your case in active, the only wayto obtain property is by a releasefrom the prosecutor. Once the casehas been adjudicated, the caseofficer will determine the status ofthe property.Found PropertyAPD commonly locates orreceives lost property, we makeevery effort to contact the ownerif any owner identified markingsallow. If you have lost an itemthat you feel someone will turn in,please contact the property officerwith a detailed description.ContactTo contact the propertyofficer, please call 606-327-2062between 8:30 am and 4:00 pmMonday through Friday.

Drug Awareness and Resistance EducationD.A.R.E.D.A.R.E. is currently in 75 percent ofschool districts nationwide. As of 2008, theD.A.R.E. program is taught in all 50 states andin 43 countries, reaching 36 million kids ayear - 26 million in the US alone.The core D.A.R.E. curriculum is a onesemestercourse taught one hour a weekfor ten weeks by a trained, uniformed policeofficer, which ends in a D.A.R.E. graduationceremony. While the program is taught at theelementary, middle, and high school levels,the curricula is usually given to children inthe fifth or sixth grade.The Ashland Police Departmentcurrently teaches the D.A.R.E. programto 6th grade students in 5 public and 2private schools with a yearly average of 260participants. Starting with the 2012-13 schoolyear the Department is implementing theD.A.R.E. Keepin’ It Real program in the MiddleSchool with a projected 150-200 studentparticipants. We are pleased to announce theintroduction of DARE to 7th Grade in 2013!D.A.R.E. is the most popular drug abuseprevention program in the US. Its missionis teaching students good decision makingskills to help them lead safe and healthylives. The program was developed in 1983by then Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gatesand then Superintendent of the Los AngelesUnified School District Harry Handler, PhD.D.A.R.E. was meant to break the generationalcycle of drug abuse, related criminal activity,and arrest. The program focuses primarily on“gateway” drugs, such as tobacco, alcohol,marijuana, and inhalants.The foundation of the D.A.R.E. curriculaincludes science-based principles ofprevention, as well as age-appropriatereading material. All curricula are written by anational panel of curriculum and preventionexperts. Does D.A.R.E. work? Let’s look at thescience and the recent studies: Since 1997there have been 18 studies conducted onD.A.R.E. showing positive results. The mosteye-opening study was published by theJournal of the National Medical Associationshowing that D.A.R.E. graduates are five timesless likely to begin smoking than non-D.A.R.E.graduates.Officer Rob Simpson

A Shared ResponsibilityCrime PreventionAshland Police DepartmentCrime Preventionis a proactive response toreduce crime through communityinvolvement. Crime Preventionactivities provide an opportunityfor a partnership between thecommunity and the Ashland PoliceDepartment. This partnershipprovides a vital role in an effortto create safer neighborhoodsthroughout the city of Ashland.NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHIn an effort to supportcommunity involvement as avital part of the solution to CrimePrevention, APD offers variousservices; Neighborhood Watchbeing one of them. NeighborhoodWatch is a service that providesthe opportunity to be involved instructured meetings with fellowcitizens and Crime PreventionOfficers. These groups providea source of information thateducates on many types ofsecurity issues. This allows citizensto have the tools to become saferand identify information, whichhelps law enforcement to bemore effective. NeighborhoodWatch also promotes a strongercommunity, as neighbors worktogether.NATIONAL NIGHT OUTIn order to support theNeighborhood Watch efforts, APDproudly participates annuallyin the National Night Out. Thisevent is for the community andlaw enforcement to join togetherin showing support for the fightagainst crime in their community.During the events there arevarious block party activities forall ages to enjoy while also havingan opportunity to support crimeprevention and strengthen unityin the neighborhoods.CHILD FINGER PRINTINGAnother effort APD’s CrimePrevention is involved with is ChildFingerprinting. Fingerprinting isan excellent identification tool incase a child is missing. The APDparticipates in various communityevents where child fingerprintingis used to provide record keeping.APD is also happy toprovide various Crime Preventionand safety information tobusinesses, clubs, organizations,and individuals. Some areas ofinformation available include:home security, identity theft,general safety, child safety, driversafety, internet safety, and more.We ask you complete a speakerrequest form at least two weeks inadvance for prior approval due toscheduling issues. These forms areavailble on our webpage, www.ashlandkypd.com. For informationabout Neighborhood WatchGroups or other Crime Preventionservices you can contact the CrimePrevention office at 606-327-2020.Silent Witness606-329-1771or emailsilentwitness@ashlandkypd.com

Training SectionAshland Police DepartmentThe Training Sectionevaluates training standards andrequirements for every PoliceOfficer as well as those of theentire department. From theseevaluations, departmental trainingneeds, priorities and goals areestablished.The Training Section ensuresthat all Ashland Police Officersreceive on-going training inorder to maintain certificationsand meet required Department,City, State, and Federal standards.The Training Section provides aconstant influence throughoutan officer’s career in the PoliceDepartment.Police Officer AcademyThe 640 hour basic academycurriculum is designed toprovide recruit officers withthe basic knowledge and skillsnecessary for safe, proper andeffective law enforcement service.Instructional blocks include:Criminal Law and Procedures,Traffic Enforcement, CulturalAwareness, Communication Skills,Firearms, Crisis Intervention, PatrolProcedures, Criminal Investigationand Defensive Tactics. The course isheld at the Department of CriminalJustice Training in RichmondKentucky.Field Training ProgramNewly hired police officers arerequired to successfully completea comprehensive field-trainingprogram after graduation fromthe police academy. Officers areassigned to specially trained andcertified Field Training Officers foran extensive twelve-week, policeskills training curriculum.Firearms TrainingAshland Police Officersparticipate in on-going firearmsinstruction and are also requiredto qualify with assigned firearms.The Ashland Police Departmentutilizes a variety of outdoor andindoor simulator firing ranges toaccommodate the various trainingneeds and the Department.Police Skills RefresherAshland Police Officers attenda minimum bi-annual trainingsession each year. Other trainingcovers several state standards suchas first aid, bloodborne pathogens,CPR, AED, and hazardous materials.Officers also refresh their skills inother areas such as emergencyvehicle operations, defensivetactics, and legal updates.Career Level CertificationThe Career Level CertificationProgram is a state wide structuredcurriculum designed to ensureconforming statewide supervisorytraining standards. The TrainingSection arranges for each officerto attend a 40-hour “core” course.The supervisor also completes 80additional hours of supervisorytraining academy after or just priorto promotion.